J.W.P. v. W.W.

MARIANNE ESPINOSA MURPHY, J.S.C.

In Miller v. Miller, 97 N.J. 154, 478 A.2d 351 (1984) the Supreme Court held that in appropriate cases, a permanent support obligation may be imposed on a stepparent on the basis of equitable estoppel. The question raised by this case is whether a biological father who has provided no support for a child may avail himself of this doctrine to terminate his support obligation.

J.W.P. brought this paternity action against W.W. on November 1, 1989, approximately 16 months after the birth of her son Z.J.P. The Plaintiff’s husband, J.H.P., was joined in this action…